13 Comments

Another great piece by you, brother Chris! Would like to know more about the solutions to these issues -- for instance, what are your thoughts about some form of people's socialism and the creation of a truly independent socialist party?

In that vein what are your thoughts about Bernie Sanders, people like John Bellamy Foster, the noted Marxist editor of Monthly Review, not to mention the many progressive national and community organizations? How do true progressives, revolutionaries and others on the left organize to, at the very least, prevent the outright victory of the fascist movement in the U.S.?

I've read several of your books, each one is very important and they have opened my eyes to things i knew little about. Your incredible experience as a journalist and now a teacher, really, including in prisons where so many poor and working people have been warehoused until they can be tossed aside and broken. Yet many survive and go on to do great things -- in many cases thanks to you! But what hope is there if we don’t get organized and form some sort of truly progressive political party? Organize not so much to run for political office but to actually bring people people in their neighborhoods, workplaces, communities and across the nation?

Look forward to your response!

With respect and in solidarity,

J.P. Bone TheseGreenTimes.com

i accidentally clicked "like" to my own damn response!

Expand full comment

I disagree with the point regarding McCarthy stating the Dems want a perpetual state of Covid mandates. I think he is right in saying that because it's true. And I don't like McCarthy either. The Covid lockdowns and mandates were not based on science, and were politically weaponized to scare and control the public. Moreover, anyone who is a proponent of vaccine mandates and mask mandates is essentially siding with the drug industry, as well as the merger of state and corporate power. The Covid mandates caused incalculable harm, poverty, and the deaths of countless poor people around the world. Especially in the 3rd world. It was generally Starbucks sipping, professional class corporate Democrats who cheered for the lockdowns and mandates. Their elitism and entitlement - not to mention racist/classist intentions - are obvious. It's important to look at who one's company is on this issue; if it's corporations and government hacks like Fauci, not a good sign.

The Republicans who held out their votes for McCarthy engaged in Democracy, despite their consistency being questionable. Most or all of them are hacks - but they forced some important concessions, such as allowing 72 hours to read a bill before signing it. That's a bit better than the undemocratic Pelosi saying let's pass Obamacare so we can see what's in it. Talk about insanity,

anti-democracy, elitism and authoritarianism. The speaker has too much power and the squad should have done the same thing, to push back against, and at least kick Pelosi out. They, of course, are gutless hacks.

Expand full comment

I have learned a lot from CH over the years from reading his books and listening to his conclusions on YouTube etcetera. He’s a Christian and I suppose that gives him comfort because most of the time his analysis are depressing. I think that’s probably one of the reasons he’s not nearly as popular as a brilliant journalist such as he is isn’t more popular. I hope maybe people will wake up to the insanity but it’s not looking good.

Expand full comment

The anti-immigration efforts by both parties is clear enough, what I wonder is how much of it is driven by the looming global disruptions due to climate change and the nightmare refugee crises they will bring. I can see the majority of the country choosing to support massive walls across all borders with something like shoot to kill policies for those trying to come in. what we're seeing now is just laying the groundwork for much harsher means in the years to come.

Expand full comment

I am always amazed at how Chris's analyses distills and delineates the reality of our collective endeavor in such stark and completely accurate terms. His commentary resonates with and clarifies why most Americans have a murky sense that things are out of control, that they have no control. Rosa Luxemburg said, "The most revolutionary thing one can do is always to proclaim loudly what is happening" which is exactly what Chris does. Chris, I believe, has taken the baton from Chomsky as America's most invaluable public intellectual. Thanks so much Chris for still fighting the good fight. Your indefatigability is astonishing.

Expand full comment

Carl Sagan put it well:

"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It's simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we've been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back."

Expand full comment

What will be more than a little disheartening to watch is how, regardless of the massive dysfunction at the national level, the weapons and money for more weapons for Ukraine, will continue to flow. At home it may be the theatre of the absurd, but across the globe its the four horsemen of apocalypse and the danse macarbre..........an American citizenry cared for and educated well by governments that actually do what they are elected for....serve the people....wouldn't stand for the imperial destruction American forces visit upon the world.

War has nothing to do with freedom, democracy or values....a quick listen to a Canadian indigenous freedom fighter......Buffy St Marie, will tell you what war is: find 'THE WAR RACKET' on Utube and learn the lyrics. She's nailed the Theatre of Endless Destruction....and its an American Racket.

Expand full comment

When will we hear something of substance from you two? Lol. Thank you. I’m writing Snowden to ask if he has a spare room now.

Expand full comment